May 12, 2009
Backcountry
mail service to continue.
Folks may have read recently that the U.S. Postmaster General announced earlier
this year that the $46,000 contract for mail service to twenty or more Idaho backcountry
ranches and individuals, including outfitters, was to be eliminated as a cost
saving measure beginning July 1. Arnold Aviation of Cascade has been providing
this contracted service since 1972. Well, due to a grassroots effort, the
mail route will continue!! A big thanks to the Idaho
congressional delegation is in order, IOGA member Doug Tims quipped in a recent
email exchange, “This was a wonderful example of grass roots political
action in America
- a great team effort by all. I would like to make special note of Grant
Simonds and IOGA. Grant had a trip to DC scheduled to work with outfitter
issues with the national organization, America Outdoors. He added this to
his list of topics. IOGA has an excellent relationship with Risch and all the
Idaho delegation, thanks to years of professional interaction on issues and
grass roots efforts by the membership at the annual IOGA Lobby Day.”
Several other grassroots steps included member Lynn Demerse initiating local
and national exposure for the issue by contacting writer Steve Stuebner who
produced a media release. Doug Tims was interviewed on National Public Radio
and made contact with several Idaho
congressional staffers. Brad Hoaglun, who was the IOGA lobbyist at the
Statehouse for several years and who is now Director of Communications and
Senior Policy Advisor for Senator Risch, was very helpful. Tangential to
this mail route issue is the fact that the Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980
that established 2.3 acres of wilderness in central Idaho
contains Section 7 (a) essentially stating that no airstrip is to be closed
with concurrence of the State of Idaho.
To reinforce this clause, both Senator Crapo and Congressman Walt Minnick have
recently (re) introduced a bill that would adopt a
nationwide policy to protect backcountry landing strips on federal lands.
“We are greatly appreciative
that Postmaster General Potter has taken the time to study the situation in
Idaho’s backcountry and recognizes the reality—not just on the ground, but in
the air,” said Senator Crapo. “Idaho’s wilderness and the people who live there
make our state a very unique and special place and they deserve universal mail
service, just as all of us do.”
“I am very pleased that Postmaster General Potter has agreed to continue the
airmail contract for central Idaho.
Even in this age of technology the U.S. Post Office remains a vital
link. The service they provide to the families, businesses and many others in
these backcountry areas is indispensable and I appreciate that the Post Office
has seen the need for continuing this delivery contract,” said Senator Risch.
“This is great news for Idahoans who treasure our backcountry, the way of life
this mail service represents and the lifeline this service provides to remote
sections of Central Idaho,” said
Representative Minnick. “When my friend Ray Arnold first informed me of the
Postal Service decision to cut his route, I made it a priority to explain to
USPS officials exactly why this service is important to the First Congressional
District. I want to thank my fellow members of the delegation for doing the
same, and I want to thank the Postmaster General for reviewing and reversing
the decision.”
McCall Aviation
has announced the acquisition of Salmon, Idaho-based Salmon Air -
creating the largest on-demand charter flight operator in Idaho
and the largest commuter air carrier based in Idaho.
The Salmon-Challis National Forest has recently hired a new
Recreation Special Uses Administrator to permanently fill in behind April
Heesacker who left a little over a year ago. The new administrator will arrive
in Salmon in July and will work with Barbara Andrews and the district rangers
to make sure things run smoothly and to provide forest customers excellent
service. Patti Schwind is coming from Dubois, Wyoming,
where she has spent a little over 10 years working with the outfitters there.
She won an award last year from the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides
Association, and has previously worked in Alaska
and on the Payette
National Forest.
New IDFG 2009 Big Game
Rules Publication does not include new fees. Effective
May 1, 2009 fees have changed for nonresident fishing and hunting. The Fish and
Game rules brochure was printed before the fee changes legislation was
signed by Governor Otter. Click on this link for the new fee schedule. License, Tag and Permit Fees
Overall, Idaho water year is
slightly below normal with some exceptions. Southwest Idaho received .9 of an inch the first seven days of May.
The May 1, 2009 NRCS Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report is now available
online. To access the
Adobe Acrobat version directly, you can click
on the following link or copy and paste it into your internet browser.
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/ID/snow/watersupply/bor/2009/borid509.pdf
You can also access
the report from Idaho Water Supply webpage.
http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/watersupply/
Ask fish and
game: chinook season, late or weak?
Q. Spring Chinook salmon fishing seasons opened April 25 on the Clearwater, the lower
Salmon, Little Salmon and the Snake rivers. So where's the fish?
A. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission sets spring Chinook seasons based on
preseason forecasts. But forecasts are just that. The actual numbers may be
higher or lower. Salmon managers have not revised their forecasts yet, but some
do not expect the run at Bonneville Dam to meet preseason predictions.
Others say the run is simply late and predict it will still come close to
earlier expectations. So far, as of May 3, about 240 Chinook salmon have been
counted at Lower Granite Dam on their way to Idaho - the 10-year average for this date is
more than 17,000. And about 38,396 fish have crossed Bonneville Dam- the
10-year average is about 107,389 fish. The preseason forecast predicted about 105,600
hatchery origin and almost 23,000 wild Chinook would return to Idaho. That would
translate into estimates of 13,341 fish available for nontribal anglers in the
Clearwater River, 9,700 in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon, and 1,365 in the
Snake River.
For an online preview of the Chinook salmon season on YouTube go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86yoxrI9Wk.
Classifieds
- I have
worked as a whitewater rafting guide for the last seven years and wish to
do so again this summer. The economic downturn has left me
scrambling to try and book trips. I am based out of Lewiston and any
referrals or job opportunities would be much appreciated. I've
worked for a number of outfitters including Idaho Afloat, Barker River
Trips, Hughs River Expeditions, River Adventures, Mountain
River Outfitters and so on. I am also a Dutch Oven
Cookoff winner three years running. My phone number is 208-553-1484.
Please contact me with any opportunities. Thank you! Cara Doherty,
Cara, dohe4743@vandals.uidaho.edu
- 1996
Duckworth 23’ Aluminum Jet Boat; 454 Chevy Fuel Injected – Less than 30
hrs. 100 Gal. Fuel Tank; Jet Drive; Trolling Motor; CB/Marine radios;
Covers / Options / Swivel bucket shock absorber seats; Dual Axle Trailer;
Perfect Condition; Asking $25,000 OBO; Garaged in Las Vegas; You pick-up;
See photos posted on Craig’s List # 1161659622; Call Darwin (702) 655 -
3003 or Cell (702) 683 – 5998
- Hello,
my name is Forrest Ridgway and I was wondering who I would talk to about
find a job with an outfitter this fall. I have spent most of my life in
the backcountry of Idaho
camping, hunting and fishing. I have experience with backcountry cooking
as well, including dutch oven. If you would be so kind as to point me in
the right direction of who to talk to about a job, that would be much
appreciated. Thank you. Forrest Ridgway, 9813 W. Caraway Ct., Boise,
Id 83704, 208-921-2755, Forrest.ridgway@gmail.com